US Winter Forecast for 2013-2014 from AccuWeather

US Winter Forecast for 2013-2014 from AccuWeather

So Accuweather just released their US Winter Snow Forecast for this coming 2013-2014 winter. Here is what they had to say:

Though summerlike temperatures kicked off fall in some parts of the United States, winter — with its cold and snow — is quickly following. The season will get off to a slow start in the Northeast with only occasional shots of cold early on. The northern Plains and the Rockies, however, will be bitterly cold at times and buried in snow.

With the East as an exception, most ski resorts country-wide should not have a problem getting up-and-running this year. This season’s precipitation may even bring drought relief to California, replenishing reservoirs and easing water shortages.

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Winter weather lovers will have to be patient this year, as the start of the season in the East certainly won’t pack a punch in terms of cold or snowfall. Winter will begin mildly, with a long duration of above-normal temperatures. One snow system and some chilly air could come at times during November, however.

Temperatures will fall in the latter part of the season, likely the beginning of January, allowing snow to fall along the I-95 corridor.

Philadelphia, which received only 8 inches of snow last year, will likely get higher amounts, but other areas from New York City to Boston should not expect to beat last year’s totals. Overall, however, winter sports enthusiasts have a shot at an average season.

“It’s not going to be a complete [snow] drought season coming up, but I think they’ll have to wait until probably late in the season to get their best chances of the higher snow amounts,” AccuWeather.com Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

Early in the season, the storm track will not favor coastal areas, but areas farther north, including Burlington, Vt., and areas north of Albany should have a strong chance at a white winter.

“The farther south you go, it is going to more likely be mid- to late season that you may have an opportunity to see some snow, which is typical,” Pastelok said.

The winter season will begin with well above-normal temperatures for the Southeast, Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast areas.

December could yield daily record-breaking warmth for the Tennessee Valley, where monthly temperatures departures could average as much as 4-6 degrees above normal.

With the warmth will come a severe weather threat for the central and western Gulf Coast. A few heavy rain events could lead to flooding in December and February, ultimately resulting in above-normal precipitation for the area.

From Paducah, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Little Rock, Ark.; to Dallas could be impacted by some snow and ice events.